Method and device for detecting the edge profile of bottles or similar containers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and device for detecting the edge profile of bottles or similar containers that are moved past a measuring and/or receiving region of a measuring and/or receiving system, using at least one opto-electric receiver on one side of the measuring and/or receiving region and using at least one light-emitting device on the side located opposite of the receiver in the measuring and/or receiving region.

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 or 3 and to a device according to the preamble of claim 8 or 10.

Methods and devices or imaging or measuring systems for imaging bottles or similar containers, in particular also for detecting the edge profile of containers where the containers are moved past a recording or measuring region of the recording or measuring system on a conveyor or conveyor belt, are known. The known measuring systems, where, by means of a CCD camera with an entocentric lens and by means of a luminescent screen, the most varied measuring methods may be realized in so-called transillumination or silhouette procedures, are, however, affected by serious imaging errors, in particular caused by a non distortion-free beam path. These imaging errors could certainly be reduced to a passable level in practice by using special lenses, for example telecentric lenses, but these types of lenses are extremely expensive and also have a greatly reduced depth of focus, calling for very precise positioning of the containers at the respective measuring and recording region of the measuring system.

It is the object of the invention to provide a method which makes possible distortion-free or substantially distortion-free detecting of the edge profile of bottles or of similar containers, reducing the construction costs of the device used as the measuring and imaging system.

This object is achieved by a method corresponding to claim 1 or 3. A device for accomplishing the method is the object of claim 8 or 10.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of line-shaped or strip-shaped recordings of each container moved past the measuring or recording region are generated chronologically by way of a line imaging means or a line camera, from which recordings the edge profile of the relevant bottle is then assembled. The line imaging means, in this case, are distortion-free and are preferably recordings without colour or grey content.

Where a line imaging means or a line camera is used, line images are generated, for example, parallel to a container axis, e.g. parallel to a vertical container axis, it being possible to adapt the resolution in the generated edge profile in said container axis to the respective requirements by means of the resolution of the line imaging means or of the line camera, transversely relative to the axis of the line images, i.e. e.g. transversely relative to the container axis by the number of recordings per unit time.

The individual line images are generated, for example, by means of corresponding actuation of the line imaging means or of the line camera and/or by means of corresponding actuation of the light-transmitting device. It is possible to use the edge profile created in each case from the containers for the most varied control and monitoring purposes.

In the case of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a parallel silhouette of the respective container is preferably realized on a luminescent screen or display screen with the parallel light of the at least one light-transmitting device. Said screen is preferably realized such that on its side facing the at least one optoelectric receiver (e.g. line imaging means, line camera or CCD camera), there is an image or a silhouette of the respective container, which is generated exclusively by the parallel light or the parallel light beams of said light. This means that a distortion-free and sharp-edged silhouette is obtained on the side of the luminescent screen or display screen facing the at least one optoelectric receiver. In particular, distortions caused by non parallel light beams and extraneous light hitting the luminescent screen or display screen in an inclined manner are avoided. In the simplest scenario the display screen, in this case, comprises a flat material or a film that is transparent only or substantially only to vertically incident light, for example a polarizing filter foil or directional filter foil.

The essential advantages of the invention can be summarized as follows:

-   -   Simplified, cost-efficient design of the device or of the         measuring and/or imaging system,     -   The possibility of using entocentric lenses that are usual in         the trade and are commercially available at a good price for the         optoelectric receiver or the line camera, the line imaging means         or the CCD camera used,     -   The possibility of extremely short exposure times by focussing         the light or light beam in a targeted manner and thereby         improving the independence from extraneous light, among other         things,     -   Distortion-free imaging,     -   Homogeneous light density even when only weak light sources are         used,     -   High depth of focus, in particular even when using an         optoelectric receiver or a line imaging means, a line camera or         a CCD camera with an entocentric lens.

Further developments, advantage and application possibilities of the invention are produced from both the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the Figures. In this case, all described and/or graphically represented features are in principle objects of the invention, either individually or in arbitrary combination, irrespective of their summary in the claims or their dependency. The content of the claims is also made a component of the description.

The invention is described in more detail below by way of FIGS. 1-4, each of which show a simplified schematic representation of optoelectric imaging or measuring devices according to the invention or of a device for coupling a plurality of individual light sources into one common focal point.

The device identified in FIG. 1 in general by the reference 1 is used, among other things, for optoelectric detecting or for recording the edge profile of containers 2 that are filled with a liquid product and are each closed by way of a closure 3, for example for determining the actual volume of the containers 2 in a calculating unit from an edge profile, such that on account of said volume and with corresponding linking to a liquid level checking means or a fill level checking means, it is possible to determine or check whether the measured fill level actually corresponds to required volume etc. In addition, the device 1 is also suitable, among other things, for checking the containers 2 with regard to the presence of closures 3 and/or with regard to a correct application of said closures.

In principle, the device 1, by means of which or by means of the measuring and/or recording region of which the containers 2, realized as bottles, for example as PET bottles, are moved standing upright, i.e. with their container bottom oriented in the vertical direction, on a conveyor or conveyor belt 4, comprises a measuring and/or recording system with a transmitting side 5, which is provided on one longitudinal side of the conveyor belt 4 and is not entrained with said conveyor belt, and a receiving side 6. Said receiving side is provided situated opposite the transmitting side 5, vertically or transversely relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 4, on the other longitudinal side of said conveyor belt or of the measuring and/or recording region and is not entrained with the conveyor belt 4 either.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment represented, the transmitting side 5 has two light-transmitting devices 7 and 8 one above the other in the vertical direction, of which the light-transmitting device 7, in the embodiment represented, is formed by a single punctiform or substantially punctiform light source 7.1 with a predetermined light spectrum and the light-transmitting device 8 is formed by a punctiform or substantially punctiform light source 8.1, which is suitable for delivering light in various spectra. The light source 8.1 is formed for this purpose by a plurality of individual light sources with associated lenses for trapping the light. The light source 7.1 and the individual light sources of the light source 8.1 are produced in each case, for example, by an LED or by a plurality of LEDs.

The light of the light source 7.1 is given the general reference 9 in FIG. 1. The light 9.1, radiated initially in a diverging manner from the light source 7.1 (light bundle made up of diverging light beams), is transformed at an optical lens system 10, operating as a collimator, into horizontal, parallel light 9.2 oriented vertically relative to the direction of transport of the conveyor belt 4 (light bundle made up of parallel light beams) and hits the receiving side 6 in this form. In the receiving side 6, the edge profile of the respective container 2, generated by the parallel light 9.2 as a parallel silhouette or shadow profile, is detected in the region of the closure 3 by an optoelectric receiver that is given the general reference 11 in FIG. 1, said optoelectric receiver having, for example, a line camera with entocentric lenses. This is effected by means of a plurality of chronological recordings in each case of a line image, oriented in the vertical direction and for example only one pixel wide, of the top region, having the closure 3, of the container 2 moved through the device 1. By assembling or putting together said line image without colour or grey scales values, the edge profile of the respective container 2 is generated in the region of the closure 3, taking into consideration the speed of conveyance of the conveyor belt 4. It is obvious that the light-transmitting device 7 is located for this purpose such that the containers 2 with their closures 3 move through the parallel light 9.2.

A filter 12, preferably replaceable, is provided between the light source 7.1 and the lens system 10 in the beam path of the light 9 in order, for the detecting of the edge profile, to be able to select an optimum part spectrum of the light 9 supplied by the light source 7.1., also taking ambient light into consideration, for example. Corresponding filters 13 and 14 are provided on the receiving side 6 in front of the optoelectric receiver 11. A field stop 15 with stop opening is additionally located in the beam path between the filter 12 and the lens system 10, said field stop defining the light of the light source 7.1 in such a manner that just the top region, provided with the closure 5, of each container 2 is detected, i.e. the respective bottle neck with the closure 3, by way of the parallel light 9.2 emerging from the lens system 10.

The light of the light source 8.1 is given the general reference 16 in FIG. 1. The light 16.1 radiated initially in a diverging manner by the light source 8.1 is converted at the optical lens system 10, operating as a collimator, into horizontal light 16.2 oriented vertically relative to the direction of transport of the conveyor belt 4 and hits the receiving side 6 in this form. On the receiving side 6, the edge profile of the respective container 2, generated by the parallel light 16.2 as a parallel silhouette or shadow profile, is detected in the region below the closure 3 by the optoelectric receiver 11. This is effected likewise by a plurality of chronological recordings in each case of a line image of the container region below the closure 3, oriented in the vertical direction and, for example, only one pixel wide. By assembling or putting together said line images without grey scale or colour values, the edge profile below the closure 3 is generated for the respective container 2, taking the speed of conveyance of the conveyor belt 4 into consideration. It is obvious that the light source 8.1 is located for this purpose below or at a level below the light source 7.1 such that the containers 2 are moved through the parallel light 16.2 with their container region below the closures 3.

Changeable filters (not shown), corresponding to the filters 12 and 13, are provided in front of the optoelectric receiver 11 also in the beam path of the parallel light 16.2, said changeable filters being adapted, with regard to their transmission characteristic, to the spectrum of the light 16 transmitted by the light source 8.1, in such a manner that the receiver-side filters are adapted, modified or changed synchronously with the change in the light spectrum of the light source 8.1. In this way, it is possible, in particular, to generate line images of the respective container 2 with different light spectra for further improving the detecting of the edge profile of the containers 2 by modifying the light spectrum of the light source 8.1 and the filters on the receiving side in a synchronized manner.

The opening in the field stop 15 or the stop opening provided at that location is once again realized such that the containers 2 are detected substantially only in a region below the closure 3 by way of the parallel light 16.2.

In principle, all optical lenses or lens systems that are suitable as collimators or for converting a diverging light beam into parallel light are suitable as lens system 10.

It has been assumed above that the optoelectric receiver 11 has at least one line camera with a cost-efficient entocentric lens and with said line camera line images of the shadow contour of the containers 2 are then taken without colour or grey scale values and then by joining these images together, the container contours are generated in the region of the closure and below the closure. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide another optoelectric receiver 11, e.g. a CCD camera with an entocentric lens, in place of a line camera.

In the case of a preferred variant, a line camera is used that does not have any corresponding lens, but just the actual recording means.

In addition, it has also been assumed above for reasons of simpler representation that the lens system 10 and the field stop 15 are provided together for both light-transmitting devices 7 and 8. Obviously, independent lens systems 10 and/or field stops 15 can be used for the devices 7 and 8.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation and top view of a device 1 a, which differs from the device 1 in a few details, but which basically agrees with the device 1 as far as the measuring and imaging principle is concerned. FIG. 2 represents one of the two light-transmitting devices, for example the device 8 with the punctiform or substantially punctiform light source 8.1, once again formed by one or several LEDs, said light source being located in a lens barrel 17 with a mechanical stop and radiating its light 16 initially as a diverging light 9.1 (light bundle made of diverging light beams). The diverging light 16.1 is converted into parallel light 16.2 (light bundle made of parallel light beams) at the lens system 10, which operates as a collimator and is formed, for example, by a Fresnel lens, the respective measuring object, i.e. the respective container 2 being moved through said parallel light by way of the conveyor 4.

The light source 8.1, the lens barrel 17 and the lens system 10 are once again part of the transmitting side 5 of the measuring and/or imaging system. A luminescent screen or display screen 18 is provided on the receiving side 6 situated opposite the transmitting side 5, the parallel silhouette generated by the measuring object or by the container 2 being imaged in a distortion-free manner with the parallel light 16.2 on said luminescent screen or display screen. By means of an optical system 19, for example in the form of a plano-convex lens, following the display screen in the path of the beam, and by means of the lenses, e.g. the entocentric lens of an optoelectric sensor, for example, a line camera or a CCD camera, the silhouette generated on the display screen 18 is recorded. This is effected once again preferably without colour or grey scale content, e.g. in the form of line images, from which the edge profile of the measuring object or container 2 is then put together.

The display screen 18 is preferably designed such that said screen only allows through the parallel light 16.2, i.e. vertically incident light, not however inclinedly incident light, in particular not inclinedly incident ambient light or extraneous light, which is indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 2. This means that the distortion-free, sharp representation of the edge profile on the display screen 18 is considerably improved. In particular, distortions caused by extraneous light are effectively avoided. A polarisation filter foil or a directional filter foil is suitable, for example, as material for the display screen 18.

It is obvious that lens system 10 or the lenses forming said lens system and operating as a collimator are provided separately in each case for the light source 7.1 and 7.2 in order, in this manner, through the arrangement of said light sources in the focal point, to convert the diverging light 9.1 or 16.1 in each case into the parallel light 9.2 and 16.2.

The filters 13, 14 and 15 can vary depending on the design and/or application, in particular also with regard to their filtering effect and characteristics, and/or it is also possible to dispense with said filters entirely or partially.

With reference to FIG. 2, the optical design of the measuring and imaging system of the device 1 a and its method of operation can be described in a summarizing manner as follows:

-   -   The punctiform light source 8.1 generates a luminous surface         with an entocentric development;     -   The lens barrel 17 with a mechanical stop centres the punctiform         light source 8.1 (optical level 1);     -   The lens system 10 (e.g. Fresnel lens) generates the parallel         light 16.2 (optical level 2) from the diverging light 16.1;     -   The object to be measured, for example container 2, throws a         distortion-free shadow onto the display screen 18 (optical level         3);     -   The parallel imaging on the display screen 18 (optical level 4)         is focussed via the lens system 19 (optical level 5) and is then         recorded by way of the line camera or CCD camera (optical level         6).

Once again, various modifications are also possible to the measuring device 1 a. Thus, for example, the lens system 19, i.e. the plano-convex lens is only necessary when using a CCD camera 20 as optoelectric receiver, whereas when using a line imaging means as optoelectric receiver 20, the plano-convex lens 19 is not required. The filters 12, 13 and 14 can vary depending on the design and/or application and/or can be completely or partially omitted.

In a simplified schematic representation similar to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a device 1 b, which differs from the device 1 in some details, but basically agrees with the device 1 as far as the measuring and imaging principle is concerned. The essential difference of the device 1 b as opposed to device 1 is that on the transmitting side 5 only one single light-transmitting device is provided, namely, for example, the light-transmitting device given the reference 8 in FIG. 3 with the light source 8.1, which is located in the focal point of the lens system 10 (operating as a collimator) with field stop 15 such that the diverging light 16.1 is once again converted into the parallel or substantially parallel light 16.2, in such a manner that by way of the light 16.2, the respective container 2 is detected over its entire height, i.e. including the container closure 3. In addition, a filter 21 corresponding to the filter 12 is provided between the field stop 15 and the light source 8.1.

The receiving side 6 is realized in an identical or similar manner to the receiving side 6 of the measuring device 1, for example once again with the filters 13 and 14 located in the beam path of the parallel light 16.2 and the optoelectric receiver 11 connected downstream.

As is also represented in FIG. 3, the light source 8.1 is formed by a plurality of light-transmitting elements or individual light sources 22, which are, for example, once again LEDs and for example are at least partially individually actuatable in order, in this manner, among other things, on the one hand, to obtain the necessary light intensity by means of the parallel operation of a plurality of individual light sources 22 and, on the other hand, to be able to modify the spectrum of the light delivered by the light source 8.1 by switching from individual light sources 22 with a different light spectrum, for example to optimize the respective imaging and/or measuring procedure. To this end, the individual light sources 22 form, for example, groups of individual light sources 22, each with a different light spectrum, each group having at least one individual light source 22, preferably however several individual light sources.

It is obvious that different conversions are also possible once again to the measuring device 1 b represented in FIG. 3. Thus, the filters 13, 14 and 21 can vary depending on the design and/or application or can be completely or partially omitted. In addition, the lens system 10 that operates as a collimator can also comprise one or even several lenses.

In a very schematic representation, FIG. 4 shows an optical arrangement, with which the individual light sources 22 are pooled together to form the light source 8.1 located in the focal point of the optical lens system 10. The optical arrangement, in the case of the embodiment represented, essentially comprises a fibre optic 23 with a plurality of optical wave guides 24, which, with their light-transmitting ends combined together in an end sleeve 25 forming a bundle, form the light source 8.1. At the end remote from the end sleeve 25, each optical wave guide 24 is provided with a connection 26, for example a fibre optic head for coupling-in the light of the relevant individual light source 22. The fibre optic head makes it possible, in particular, to couple-in light with different wavelengths or even to select such in order to fulfil special inspection tasks. The coupling-in of light in the infrared range can be mentioned here as a particular example.

Obviously, other optical devices can be used here in place of the fibre optic 23 in order to combine the light of a plurality of individual light sources 22 to form the light source 7.1 or 8.1 located in the focal point of the lens system 10 or to couple the light of a plurality of individual light sources 22 into the focal point of the lens system 10, for example optical systems with prisms or optical elements that operate in a prism-like manner.

The punctiform light source 7.1 of the measuring device 1 is also realized, for example, in an identical manner as the light source 8.1, if said light source 7.1 also comprises a plurality of individual light sources, for example a plurality of LEDs.

The invention has been described above by way of exemplary embodiments. It is obvious that changes and conversions are possible without in any way departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1, 1 a Measuring device -   2 Container -   3 Container closure -   4 Conveyor belt -   5 Transmitting side -   6 Receiving side -   7, 8 Light-transmitting device -   7.1, 8.1 Light source -   9 Light of the light source 1 -   9.1 Diverging light -   9.2 Parallel light -   10 Lens system -   11 Optoelectric receiver -   12, 13, 14 Filter -   15 Field stop -   16 Light of the light source 8.1 -   16.1 Diverging light -   16.2 Parallel light -   17 Lens barrel -   18 Light screen -   19 Lens system, for example plano-convex lens -   20 Line camera or CCD camera with entocentric lens -   21 Filter -   22 Individual light sources -   23 Fibre optic -   24 Optical wave guide -   25 End sleeve -   26 Optical connection -   A Extraneous light

Translation of Words on the Figures FIG. 2

German English Ebene Level

At the Foot of all Pages of Figures

German English Ersatzblatt Replacement page 

1. A method for detecting edge profiles of containers moved past a measuring and/or recording region of a measuring and/or recording system using at least one optoelectric receiver on one side of the measuring and/or recording region and at least one light-transmitting device located opposite the optoelectric receiver in the measuring and/or recording region, said method comprising: using the at least one light-transmitting device, generating a parallel or substantially parallel light, directing said light onto the container moved through the measuring and/or recording region, using at least one optoelectric receiver, generating chronological line images of the container, and forming the edge profile of the container from the line images.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one optoelectric receiver comprises line imaging means, said method further comprising: using the parallel light of the at least one light-transmitting device, generating an image on a display screen, and using the line imaging means, generating the line images from the image on the display screen.
 3. A method for detecting the edge profile of containers moved past a measuring and/or recording region of a measuring and/or recording system by using at least one optoelectric receiver on one side of the measuring and/or recording region and at least one light-transmitting device located opposite the receiver in the measuring and/or recording region, said method comprising: using the at least one light-transmitting device to generate a parallel or substantially parallel light, directing said light onto a container moved through the measuring and/or recording region, and using the parallel light of the at least one light-transmitting device, generating an image of the container on a display screen, using one of the optoelectric receiver and an optoelectric camera, recording said image.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein recording said image comprises recording without colour and grey scale values.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein using the at least one light-transmitting device to generate light comprises delivering a light that is modifiable in the spectrum.
 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising detecting an edge profile of the container, wherein detecting the edge profile comprises modifying, at least once in a synchronous manner, at least one of the spectral region of the light of the at least one light-transmitting device, filters located in the path of the light, and a transmission characteristic of one of said filters.
 7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing a display screen having a transmission characteristic such that said display screen is transparent only to a light incident from a predetermined direction.
 8. A device for detecting the edge profile of containers, said device comprising: at least one optoelectric receiver on a side of a measuring and/or recording region, through which the containers are moved on a conveyor, the at least one optoelectric receiver including line imaging means for recording line images, at least one light-transmitting device located opposite the receiver on the measuring and/or recording region, the at least one light-transmitting device being configured for generating substantially parallel light that penetrates the measuring and/or recording region and is directed onto the at least one receiver.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one optoelectric receiver has associated therewith a display screen on which an image of the container is generated using the parallel light generated by the at least one light-transmitting device, and wherein the line imaging means is located in a beam path following the display screen.
 10. A device for detecting the edge profiles of containers, said device comprising: at least one optoelectric receiver on one side of a measuring and/or recording region, through which the containers are moved on a conveyor, at least one light-transmitting device located opposite the receiver at the measuring and/or recording region, the at least one light-transmitting device being configured for generating substantially parallel light that penetrates the measuring and/or recording region and is directed onto the optoelectric receiver, wherein the at least one optoelectric receiver has associated therewith a display screen on which an image, of a container is generated by using the parallel light generated by the at least one light-transmitting device, and wherein the at least one optoelectric receiver comprises a camera located in the path of the beam following the display screen.
 11. The device according to claim 10, further comprising: an additional measuring and/or recording region through which containers are moved in a conveyor, and at least one of an additional light-transmitting device configured for generating substantially parallel light through said additional measuring and/or recording region, and an additional optoelectric receiver on one said of said additional measuring and/or recording region.
 12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light-transmitting device comprises at least one of at least one substantially punctiform light source and at least one lens system (10) for generating the parallel light, and at least one light source for delivering a light that is modifiable in the spectrum.
 13. The device according to claim 10, further comprising optical filters located in a beam path of the light generated by the at least one light-transmitting device, the optical characteristics of said optical filters being adaptable to the light spectrum of the light-transmitting device.
 14. The device according to claim 10, wherein the display screen has a transmission characteristic such that said display screen is only transparent to light incident from a pre-determined direction.
 15. The device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of individual light sources, and a lens for pooling the light provided by the individual light sources to form a punctiform light source.
 16. The device according to claim 10, wherein the optoelectric receiver comprises a line camera configured to receive light directly, without the light having passed through a lens.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an image of the container comprises generating a silhouette of the container.
 18. The device of claim 10, wherein the camera comprises a line camera.
 19. The device of claim 10, wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein generating line images of the container comprises generating line images with lines having a width of one pixel. 